Goodbye

"Tears filled her eyes as she gazed at the empty bier. A glimmer of insight flickered on the far edges of her perception - a glimpse, perhaps, of what Anakin might have known, might have become. Jaina blinked away the tears and slammed shields around her emotions.

Zekk came toward them. Jaina tensed. If just one person put his arms around her, she would shatter like overheated glass.

Kyp eased forward, subtly placing himself in the young Jedi's path. Zekk's gaze slid from her to the Jedi Master, and his dark brows drew together in a frown.

'We're returning to Eclipse tomorrow morning with Master Skywalker.'

She folded her arms and nodded acknowledgement. 'So this is good-bye.'

'You're not coming?'

'Not for a while.'

He simply stood there, awaiting some word of explanation. Inspiration struck, and Jaina seized it at once. 'Kyp asked me to be his apprentice.' She swept both arms out wide, inviting inspection of her borrowed robes. 'I'm thinking about maybe taking it for a test flight.'

Zekk regarded her silently. 'Then you're right - this is good-bye.'

He turned abruptly and strode away." (178-9)

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